Lifting your truck... Pros and Cons...

encinitasguy · #1 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 02:08 PM

I'm sure I could search through 100s of posts on this topic but everyone seems to say something different. I love this truck and would love to lift it 3" or so but just trying to tap into those that have done it and learn as much as I can before.

So for those that have. Any regrets? Anything that you didn't expect? What are the advantages to coilovers vs. spacers? If you could do it all again would you? Is there anything you would do different? What I'm asking I guess is what did you learn from the experience.

I think deep inside most of us we would love to lift this truck. I'm just looking for helpful insight from those that know. I really appreciate any input.

Wildbill Tundra · #2 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 02:10 PM

no negatives to doing a 3 inch spacer lift. Just get an alignment right after. If anyone tried to tell you it can hurt your truck or affect mpg they are idiots.

lukec · #3 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 02:11 PM

The lift won't affect MPG, but bigger rubber will slightly.

Just do a 3" level kit and call it good...looks and rides great.

mxsjw · #4 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 02:37 PM

You have to take corners closer to the posted speed limit.

Someguy123 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 02:45 PM

PROS: looks ok in some cases.

CONS:
PITA to get in and out of the truck
useless waste of money for a truck that never goes offroad
annoys the heck out of oncoming drivers, since your headlights are pointing directly into their eyes.
im sure i could think of more. but the cons far outweigh the pros. unless you are building a truck for offroading.

Wildbill Tundra · #6 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Someguy123

PROS: looks ok in some cases.

CONS:
PITA to get in and out of the truck
useless waste of money for a truck that never goes offroad
annoys the heck out of oncoming drivers, since your headlights are pointing directly into their eyes.
im sure i could think of more. but the cons far outweigh the pros. unless you are building a truck for offroading.

Wow another 2.5 inches...SOOO much harder to get in and out of the truck...What are you? 80 years old or overweight? HAHAH

Whatever dude. How is it a useless waste of money if you don't go offroad?..It makes the truck look 1000 times better

After you do it all you have to do is readjust your headlights

Someguy123 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildbill Tundra

Whatever dude. How is it a useless waste of money if you don't go offroad?..It makes the truck look 1000 times better

because it does absolutely nothing functional for the truck at all. and as for the looks, i did list that in my pros.

ancientII · #8 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 03:06 PM

I tossed in a 2 1/4" spacer lift just to get by temporarily. Plan to replace it with a 2 1/2" OME coil over lift ASAP. Being as my truck sees a lot of woods running (hunting) it was essential to do the lift. However, my Tundra rides fairly rough and the "light duty" OME lift is supposed to improve the ride quality. My kidneys anxiously await the change.

Wildbill Tundra · #9 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Someguy123

because it does absolutely nothing functional for the truck at all. and as for the looks, i did list that in my pros.

actually it does help the truck turn better. Not as much body roll

Someguy123 · #10 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildbill Tundra

actually it does help the truck turn better. Not as much body roll

higher center of gravity does not help you turn better. anyway, im not arguin with you. the guy wanted a pro and con list, so i gave him on.

rockstate45 · #11 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 03:36 PM

Spacer lift:
Pros:
-Looks good
-Cheaper than coilovers
-Able to clear bigger rubber
-Better approach angle
Cons:
-You get less articulation with the front suspension because the front suspension is stretched to accomodate the spacers
-The cheap way to do it

Coilover lift:
Pros:
-Everything mentioned above for spacers
-Better suspension travel
Cons:
-You have to replace those parts?
-Other than that, I don't really see one.

Hope this helps. I personally don't have a lift but when/if I do it'll be the OME 2.5" HD lift up front and probably a set of SuperSprings in the rear.

-rockstate

mudfuel07 · #12 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 03:36 PM

Pros are that you have improved ground clearance with larger tires, looks better, and you can see over the tops of other cars. Cons are if you go with the larger tires, you spend more money on gas. But, it's a truck and it can pull over 10,000 lbs, so who really cares. Like was said before, make sure that you get an alignment and they calibrate your sensors to zero. I vote go for it

.

hec · #13 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 03:51 PM

i have coil overs on my truck and i love the way it sits and rides. It deff. give the truck a more agressive look and the ride is a little stiffer but if u actually get into some dirt you'll love it. I am planning on putting some new Mud Terrain tire in the next couple of weeks. Does anyone know if "33's" will fit or will it rub to much ??????

Wildbill Tundra · #14 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Someguy123

higher center of gravity does not help you turn better. anyway, im not arguin with you. the guy wanted a pro and con list, so i gave him on.

do you even have a lift? install a ready lift and tell me it doesnt have alot less body roll

TUNDRA786 · #15 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildbill Tundra

do you even have a lift? install a ready lift and tell me it doesnt have alot less body roll

Calm down.
I dont ahve a ready lift but with higher center of gravity you should have more body roll.